05.11.2026 10:34
North Korea broke its silence regarding the missile tests it conducted yesterday, announcing that it had tested a newly developed air defense system. The North Korean Missile Administration claimed that in a firing drill conducted in the east of the country, a predetermined representative airport target was successfully hit with a long-range strategic cruise missile. It was noteworthy that the test coincided with the period when midterm election results began to be announced in the US.
North Korea made its first official statement after South Korea announced yesterday’s missile launches. The Pyongyang administration reported that it both tested a new air defense system and conducted a missile drill under an airport attack scenario.
NEW AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM TESTED
In the statement from North Korea’s Missile Administration, it was stated that a newly developed air defense system was tested. The statement included, “The test proved the technical characteristics and reliability of the weapon system’s multi-guidance mode, as well as the success of its diagnostic and tracking capability.”
"REPRESENTATIVE AIRPORT TARGET HIT"
The statement also noted that missile units conducted a firing drill in the country’s east yesterday. The Pyongyang administration claimed, “During the drill, a predetermined representative airport target was successfully hit with a long-range strategic cruise missile.”
North Korea argued that the weapons tests were part of “mandatory” activities aimed at strengthening its defense capabilities. The results in the statement were not verified by independent sources.
INTERPRETED AS INTIMIDATION TOWARD THE US AND ITS ALLIES
The missile drill conducted under an airport attack scenario was interpreted as intimidation toward the US and its regional allies Japan and South Korea.
MANY MISSILES WERE FIRED TOWARD THE EAST SEA
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement yesterday that North Korea had fired multiple missiles toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Experts assessed that the Pyongyang administration may have tested different types of missiles at the same time.
It drew attention that North Korea’s latest move coincided with a period when the results of the US midterm elections began to be announced.